Modular in-line skate frame assembly

ABSTRACT

An in-line skate frame includes two lateral plates connected to a mounting plate, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes disposed transversely in a bottom side of the mounting plate. Each lateral plate includes longitudinally spaced-apart upward projections each having an upper slot, and indented edges each formed between two adjacent upward projections. Each indented edge is spaced apart from the mounting plate to define an aperture with the mounting plate and two adjacent upward projections. Fastening units extend through respective holes and respective upper slots to fasten the lateral plates to the mounting plate. Rollers are fastened to each lateral plate at points below the apertures in each lateral plate, respectively.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a C-I-P application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/017,746 filed on Dec. 22, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a roller skate, more particularly to a modular in-line skate frame assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional in-line skate frame 1 is made from extruded aluminum. The extruded aluminum undergoes a machining process to form integrally the frame 1. The frame 1 includes two spaced-apart lateral plates 11, and a plurality of spaced-apart curved ribs 12 connected between the lateral plates 11. When a plurality of wheels (not shown) are rotatably connected between the lateral plates 11, the curved ribs 12 are located facing the outer peripheries of the wheels so as to provide sufficient stiff support to the lateral plates 11.

Although the conventional in-line skate frame 1 is formed integrally and has a stiff structure, it has the following disadvantages in terms of production and use:

1. During the formation process of the frame 1, the aluminum is initially heated to a sufficient temperature to provide the aluminum with a predetermined degree of plasticity, then fed through a mold by a hydraulic press to form a rectangular extruded aluminum member. The extruded aluminum member is then machined, and finally undergoes a finishing process to form the desired structure of the in-line skate frame 1. Since the frame 1 is designed to have a strong structure and an appealing appearance, the machining process must be performed in a precise and meticulous manner, thereby rendering the manufacturing process of the conventional in-line skate frame 1 very difficult and complicated.

2. During the machining process of the aforementioned extruded aluminum, a significant amount of waste material is produced, resulting in an effective use of the aluminum that is often below 25%. The mining, recycling and production of aluminum involve high costs and significant effort, and place a burden on the environment. Therefore, aluminum should be used as effectively as possible, ideally with an effective use of 25% or greater. If this waste material is not recycled, more material will be wasted.

3. Due to the presence of the curved ribs 12, the lateral plates 11 have a stiff structure. When one of the lateral plates 11 receives an external shock, the impact absorbed thereby will be transmitted to the other lateral plate 11 through the curved ribs 12 to dampen the impact; thereby enhancing the stiffness of the lateral plates 11. However, since the frame 1 is formed integrally and has no resilient areas, when the impact is very strong, the frame 1 tends to deform easily, particularly at the junctures of the lateral plates 11 and the curved ribs 12.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,803,466, and 5,873,584 disclose an in-line roller skate frame which has separate toe and heel plates connected to a pair of side plates. The toe and heel plates are provided with holes for use in binding toe and heel sections of a boot to the skate frame. However, the arrangement of the holes does not permit adjustment of the position of the boot on the skate frame once the boot is attached to the skate frame. For safety purposes in skating, it is important that the pressure centers of the feet must be placed perpendicularly to or in line with the ground reaction forces and that fine positional adjustment must be made continuously at an initial stage of skating. Such an adjustment is necessary in order to avoid occurrence of torsional forces that will injure the ankles.

Another disadvantage found in the aforesaid skate frame is that the releasable connection of the side plates to the toe and heel plates tends to cause dislocation of the side plates, especially when subjected to shocks and vibrations because clearances are present between the side plates and a flange pair extending downward from the toe or heel plate. In addition, the densely provided screw connections between the side plates and the toe and heel plates can increase the stiffness of the frame so that it is hardly possible for the frame to absorb shocks and vibrations through resiliency.

EP 1 466 654 A1 discloses an in-line roller-skate in which a one-piece chassis which has side plate portions 15 connected to rollers, as shown in FIG. 3. Each side plate portion 15 is slotted to form longitudinal apertures 16, and two of the rollers are affixed to each side plate portion 15 at points 18 below the apertures 16, respectively. Since the side plate portion 15 can provide a measure of resiliency, the chassis is able to absorb shocks induced upon impacts. However, like the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chassis is of a one-piece construction which must be formed by extrusion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an in-line skate frame that processes shocks resiliently, and that can be manufactured easily by using a material with a high ratio of e-modulus to specific weight.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an in-line racing skate frame that can accommodate shoes of different types having different binding distances, such as 165 mm and 195 mm, for binding with the skate frame, and that permits adjustment of the position of the shoe on the frame.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an in-line skate frame assembly with robust fastening units.

Accordingly, an in-line skate frame assembly of the present invention comprises: a longitudinal mounting plate having top and bottom sides, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes disposed transversely on the bottom side and opening at two transversely opposed sides of the mounting plate; and two longitudinal lateral plates disposed respectively at the opposed sides of the mounting plate. Each of the lateral plates includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart upward projections, upper slots formed respectively in the upward projections and aligned with the holes, respectively, and indented edges each formed between two adjacent ones of the upward projections. Each of the indented edges is spaced apart from the mounting plate to define an aperture with the mounting plate and two adjacent ones of the upward projections. The aperture is elongated in a longitudinal direction.

The assembly further includes a plurality of fastening units each extending through one of the holes and one of the upper slots in each of the lateral plates; and a plurality of rollers fastened to each of the lateral plates at points immediately below the respective apertures in each of the lateral plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional in-line skate frame;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the in-line skate frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows another conventional in-line skate frame;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a modular in-line skate frame assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the first preferred embodiment, which is partly sectioned to show a groove in a mounting plate;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating how a fastening unit secures the mounting plate to two lateral plates;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the third preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the first preferred embodiment of a modular in-line skate frame assembly 2 according to the present invention is shown to comprise two spaced-apart longitudinal lateral plates 21, and a longitudinal mounting plate 22.

The mounting plate 22 is disposed longitudinally between the lateral plates 21, and includes an intermediate portion 221, heel and toe support portions 222, 222′ formed on two opposite sides of the intermediate portion 221, and toe and heel ends that are opposed longitudinally and that are inclined downwardly and outwardly. A plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart tubular members 223 are formed transversely on a bottom side of the mounting plate 22. Two of the tubular members 223 are provided at the toe and heel ends, respectively. The other two tubular members 223 project downwardly from the intermediate portion 221. Each tubular member 223 has two transversely opposed open ends, and defines a hole 2231 that opens at two transversely opposed sides of the mounting plate 22.

Each of the heel and toe support portions 222, 222′ has an elongated slot 224 through which a fastener may be secured to a heel or a toe portion of a shoe (shown in FIG. 7 in phantom lines). Two elongated grooves 225 are formed respectively in bottom faces of the intermediate portion 221 and the toe support portion 222′.

The lateral plates 21 are symmetrical and are disposed respectively at the transversely opposed sides of the mounting plate 22. Each lateral plate 21 includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart upward projections 213, upper slots 2131 formed respectively in the upward projections 213 and aligned with the holes 2131, respectively, and indented edges 215 each formed between two adjacent ones of the upward projections 213. Each indented edge 215 is spaced apart from the mounting plate 22 to define an aperture 24 with the mounting plate 22 and with two adjacent ones of the upward projections 213. The aperture 24 is elongated in a longitudinal direction. Furthermore, each indented edge 215 is concaved downward from two adjacent upward projections 213.

Each lateral plate 21 further includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart downward projections 212 that protrude downward from a bottom edge 211 (see FIG. 7) of the lateral plate 21 at points below the apertures 24, respectively. Each downward projection 212 has a lower slot 2121 formed therein. The bottom edge 211 has a profile that extends upward and downward substantially along the indented edges 215. A plurality of through holes 214 are provided in each lateral plate 21 so as to reduce the weight thereof.

Fastening units 23 are provided for fastening the lateral plates 21 to the mounting plate 22. Each fastening unit 23 includes a headed tube 231 that has a female screw 2311 and that extends through a corresponding upper slot 2131 in one of the lateral plates 21 and into a corresponding hole 2231 of the mounting plate 22 and a corresponding upper slot 2131 of the other one of the lateral plates 21. A headed male screw 232 is inserted threadedly into the headed tube 231 through a corresponding upper slot 2131 in the other lateral plate 21 to engage the female screw 2311 so that the mounting plate 22 is secured between the two lateral plates 21.

Referring once again to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, three apertures 24 are defined by each lateral plate 21 and the mounting plate 22. The downward projections 212 are disposed below the apertures 24, respectively. Five rollers 26 are disposed between the two lateral plates 21. Three intermediate ones of the rollers 26 are respectively connected to the lower slots 2121 of the downward projections 212 of each lateral plate 21. Therefore; the connection of each intermediate roller 26 with the lateral plates 21 is located below the corresponding aperture 24 of each lateral plate 21. The second and third rollers 26 counting from a frontmost roller 26 project respectively into the grooves 225 in the mounting plate 22 (see FIG. 5). In use, the heel and toe portions of the shoe are secured respectively to the heel and toe support portions 222, 222′ of the mounting plate 22 through the elongated slots 224.

The advantages of the in-line skate frame assembly 2 of the present invention in terms of manufacture and use are as follows:

1. The lateral plates 21 and the mounting plates 22 are made individually by stamping, and are fastened together by using the fastening units 23. Thus, the manufacturing process of the in-line skate frame assembly 2 of the present invention is easy, quick, and simple.

2. The present invention permits the skate frame assembly 2 to be made of a material having a high ratio of e-modulus to weight so that the production of the skate frame assembly 2 does not consume more material than absolutely necessary.

3. Since three intermediate rollers 26 which are intermediate the frontmost and rearmost rollers 26 are attached to the lateral plates 21 at points below the respective apertures 24, when the intermediate rollers 26 are subjected to impacts, each part of the lateral plates 21 below the apertures 24 is able to vibrate upward and downward independently to absorb shock without affecting the other parts of the lateral plates 21 and the rollers 26 connected thereto. On the other hand, when the skate frame assembly 2 is turned, the lateral plates 21 will incline sideward with different degrees of deflection at different joint parts where the rollers 26 are attached. As the lateral plates 21 are attached to the mounting plate 22 at longitudinally spaced apart supporting points (i.e. at holes 2231) of the mounting plate 22, the joint parts are permitted to deflect with a larger deflection gradient.

It is generally known that properly treated Aluminum 7075 that is hot-forged has the mechanical properties close to those of St 52.

The parts of the skate frame assembly 2 can be easily produced by hot-forging, and the resulting increase in strength will allow for further effective use of the material, as will the hot-stamping itself.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the present invention which is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, the skate frame assembly of the second preferred embodiment includes a different lateral plate 21′, a different mounting plate 22′, and three fastening units 25 of a different type. The lateral plate 21′ has a straight bottom edge 210′, and two straight indented edges 215′.

For fastening a shoe to the mounting plate 22′, the mounting plate 22′ is provided with three front binding slots 2271, 2272, 2273 in a toe section thereof, and three rear binding slots 2281, 2282, 2283 in a heel section thereof. The front binding slots 2271, 2272, 2273 are arranged at a pitch of 15 mm. The rear binding slots 2281, 2282, 2283 are also arranged at a pitch of 15 mm. The center-to-center distance between the front binding slot 2271 and the rear binding slot 2282 and between the front binding slot 2272 and the rear binding slot 2283 is 195 mm, whereas the center-to-center distance between the front binding slot 2272 and the rear binding slot 2281 and between the front binding slot 2273 and the rear binding slot 2282 is 165 mm. Therefore, the front and rear binding slots 2271, 2272, 2273, 2281, 2282, 2283 can provide two different binding distances, i.e. 195 mm and 165 mm, for use in binding shoes of different types to the mounting plate 22′. The skate frame assembly of this embodiment can be associated with wheels having an oversized diameter of 100 mm or 110 mm, and may be used as a racing skate.

Referring once again to FIG. 10, each fastening unit 25 includes a pair of cups 251, a fastener or bolt 252, and a disc spring 253. Each cup 251 is fitted tightly, such as by press-fitting, or shrink-fitting, in the hole 2231 of a corresponding tubular member 223 of the mounting plate 22′ through a corresponding upper slot 2131 of one of the lateral plates 21′. Each cup 251 has a cup wall 2511 in contact with an inner surface of the corresponding tubular member 223, a base 2512 connected transversely to the cup wall 2511, and a flanged open end 2513 opposite to the base 2512. The flanged open ends 2513 of the cups 251 respectively abut against two corresponding upward projections 213 of the lateral plates 21′. The bases 2512 of the two cups 251 are proximate to each other inside the corresponding hole 2231. The bolt 252 extends through the bases 2512 of the cups 251, thereby fastening the two cups 251 together. The disc spring 253 is disposed around the bolt 252 between a head 2521 of the bolt 252 and the base 2512 of one of the cups 251.

With use of the two cups 251 which are press-fitted or shrink-fitted in the hole 2231 of each tubular member 223, and the bolt 252 which fastens the cups 251 together, the mounting plate 22′ can be secured integrally and tightly to the lateral plates 21′ to form an assembly that has a three-dimensionally right shape and possesses mechanical characteristics to bear specific local loads along the length and width of the skate frame assembly, and that virtually has a unitary U-shaped frame capable of receiving and returning shocks and vibrations resiliently. Thus, the present invention can provide a skater with increased protection against shocks and vibrations, especially during outdoor long distance skating. Furthermore, the separate mounting plate 22′ and lateral plates 21′ can be machined and formed independently so that the skate frame assembly of the present invention can be manufactured easily compared to the conventional one-piece skate frame. Furthermore, the skate frame assembly according to the present invention has light weight and can be produced with a high net use of raw material.

Referring to FIG. 11, according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening unit 25 of the second preferred embodiment may be replaced with a fastening unit 27. The fastening unit 27 is substantially similar to the fastening unit 25 except that a headed pin 272, a set of disc springs 273, and a C-ring 274 are used in place of the bolt 252 and the disc spring 253 of the second preferred embodiment. The headed pin 272 extends through the bases 2512 of the two cups 251. Three disc springs 273 are sleeved around the headed pin 272 between a head 2721 of the headed pin 272 and the base 2512 of one of the cups 251, whereas the C-ring 274 is disposed around the headed pin 272 and abuts against the base 2512 of the other cup 251.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. An in-line skate frame assembly comprising: a longitudinal mounting plate having top and bottom sides, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holes disposed transversely in said bottom side and opening at two transversely opposed sides of said mounting plate; two longitudinal lateral plates disposed respectively at said opposed sides of said mounting plate, each of said lateral plates including a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart upward projections, upper slots formed respectively in said upward projections and aligned with said holes, respectively, and indented edges each formed between two adjacent ones of said upward projections, each of said indented edges being spaced apart from said mounting plate to define an aperture with said mounting plate and two adjacent ones of said upward projections, said aperture being elongated in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of fastening units each extending through one of said holes and one of said upper slots in each of said lateral plates; and a plurality of rollers fastened to each of said lateral plates at points immediately below respective said apertures in each of said lateral plates.
 2. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting plate has a plurality of longitudinally spaced part tubular members that are formed transversely on said bottom side of said mounting plate, each of said tubular members defining said hole and having two transversely opposed open ends.
 3. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said lateral plates further has a bottom edge, and a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart downward projections protruding downward from said bottom edge below said apertures, respectively, said rollers being fastened to said downward projections, respectively.
 4. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said downward projections has a lower slot formed therein.
 5. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said indented edges is concaved downward from two adjacent ones of said upward projections, said bottom edge having a profile that extends upward and downward substantially along said indented edges.
 6. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said indented edges are substantially straight between two adjacent ones of said upward projections, said bottom edge being substantially straight.
 7. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said fastening units includes a headed tube formed with a female screw therein and extending into one of said holes through one of said upper slots in one of said lateral plates, and a headed male screw extending into said headed tube through one of said upper slots in the other one of said lateral plates and engaging said female screw.
 8. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said fastening units includes a pair of cups fitted tightly in one of said holes of said mounting plate, and a fastener, each of said cups having a cup wall, and a base connected transversely to said cup wall, said bases of said cups being proximate to each other inside said one of said holes, said fastener extending through and fastening said bases of said cups.
 9. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of said cups further has a flanged open end, said flanged open ends of said cups respectively abutting against two of said upward projections of said lateral plates, which are aligned with said one of said holes.
 10. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said fastener is a bolt, each of said fastening units further includes a disc spring disposed around said bolt adjacent to said base of one of said cups.
 11. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said fastener is a headed pin, each of said fastening units further includes a disc spring, and a C-ring disposed around said headed pin, said disc spring and said C-ring abutting against said bases of said cups, respectively.
 12. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting plate further includes a toe section, three front binding slots disposed in said toe section, a heel section, and three rear binding slots disposed in said heel section.
 13. The in-line skate frame assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said front and rear binding slots provide a 165 mm binding distance and a 195 mm binding distance, whereby shoes of different types can be attached to said mounting plate. 